Apparatus for automatically processing and drying photographic film and paper

ABSTRACT

An automatic apparatus in which photographic films can be developed and dried in batches of several strips suspended from a rod which includes an automatic mechanism for sequentially lowering and raising each rod of films into and out of a series of baths. The film is moved into, held for a timed interval in, and moved out of each bath in the same vertical plane and moved horizontally to the next bath only while lifted completely out of the bath.

Elm ted States Patent 1 Inventor Arnold Reginald Kennington Ealing, London, England Appl. No. 670,670

Filed Sept. 26, 1967 Patented Dec. 14, 1971,

Assignee The Pavelle Corporation New York, N.Y.

Priority Sept. 28, 1966 Great Britain 43,276/66 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSING AND DRYING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND PAPER 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 95/89 Int. Cl 603d 3/08 Field o1Scarch.. 95/89, 94

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,823,595 2/1958 McFadden et al 1. 95/89 2,920,548 1/1960 Copenhefer 95/89 2,124,106 7/1938 Dye 95/89 2,934,000 4/1960 Sardeson et al.. 95/89 3,241,473 3/l966 Hope et al. 95/89 3,343,472 9/1967 Rosenberg 95/94 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner Fred L. Braun Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett ABSTRACT: An automatic apparatus in which photographic films can be developed and dried in batches of several strips suspended from a rod which includes an automatic mechanism for sequentially lowering and raising each rod of films into and out of a series of baths. The film is moved into, held for a timed interval in, and moved out of each bath in the same vertical plane and moved horizontally to the next bath only while lifted completely out of the bath.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 E I h i w I krllfllrrslal I Patented Dec. 14, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 m F 9 1 5 A 3 2 9 H 5 U C 1 9 1 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSING AND DRYING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND PAPER This invention relates to apparatus for automatically processing and drying photographic films and paper.

Where films are processed commercially it is the usual practice to immerse them into a series of deep tanks containing the correctly compounded chemical solutions for the type of film and process in use. The operation usually has to be done in complete darkness and the length of time in each tank, the draining period, the temperature of chemical solutions and the consistency of chemical solutions are important factors.

In a typical processing sequence for a color negative film, the processing cycle would be:

Tank l Developer l2 minutes Tank 2 Stop 4 minute: Tank 3 Harden 4 minutes Tank 4 Wash 4 minute! Tank 5 Bleach 8 minutes Tank 6 Wash 4 minutes Tank 7 Fix 8 minutes Tank 8 Wash 8 minutes Tank 9 Wetting Agent 4 minutes Dry 40 minutes Between each processing stage there would be the requirement of a l second draining period to avoid carrying over an excess of chemical solution from one tank to the next.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for mechanically handling the film through the sequence of operations and to automatically maintain the correct temperature and chemical consistency of the solutions. The mechanical handling system and the chemical control system to be described can be provided for any known photographic process. The only variation in design is the layout or sequence of tanks and the length of the film lifting arms.

The apparatus will therefore automatically process color negative film, color reversal film, black and white negative and positive film, including X-ray and photographic emulsions coated on glass or paper.

According to this invention there is provided an automatic apparatus for processing photographic films in accordance with which the films are moved sequentially through a series of baths in accordance with a time cycle of operations, the apparatus being so constructed and adapted that the films are immersed at the beginning of the cycle in a first bath for a predetermined period of time and at the end of the period are removed from the first bath and are then immersed in a second bath and so on until processing is complete after which the films are dried.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood it will now be described more fully, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus according to the invention and H6. 2 is an end elevation in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the films to be processed, one being indicated at F, are each attached to a clip I which is hooked onto a rod 2. In order that each length of film may remain taut, a weighted clip 3 is attached to its lower end. The rod 2, with the lengths of films attached to it, is placed on loading ramps 4, formed on laterally spaced and parallel bars 5, on which ramps the rod slides down to stops 6. The bars each have a series of equally spaced V-shaped notches 7, the notches of one bar laterally aligning with those of the other bar. The purpose of the notches will later be made clear. Pivotally connected to a bracket 8 as at 8A and 8B are lifting arms 9, the bracket together with the anns being movable horizontally along rods 10 carried by a fitting 11. The fitting has linear bearings at each of its ends which bearings run on rods 10A disposed in channels 12 formed on a vertically extending and fixed plate 13. Towards the top and bottom of the plate 13 are sprockets l4 and 15 one of which is driven by an electric motor (not shown). The driven sprocket drives an endless chain 16 which is connected as at 17 to the fitting 11. Thus, the fitting together with the bracket and lifting arms, hereinafter referred to as lift assembly," can be raised from a position A to a position B. When the lift assembly is in the position A it is disposed below the bars 5. When the lift assembly is raised, the left hand arm will lift the rod with its lengths of films to position B as indicated more clearly in FIG. 2.

The diameter of each sprocket l4 and 15 is substantially equal to the pitch of the notches 7 in the member 5, thus as the point of attachment passes over the sprocket 14, the bracket will be moved along the rods 10 so that the rod 2 carrying the lengths of film will be brought into alignment with the first two opposite notches of the series of notches. When the lift assembly has been lowered to its fullest extent, the rod 2 rests in the two notches and the films are immersed into a first tank 18 containing a processing solution. A main tank 19 has a number of partitions 20 providing a series of tanks for the different processing solutions.

The time taken for the point of attachment of the bracket to be moved over the top of the sprocket 14 to an equivalent position on the other side of the sprocket is usually set at 14 seconds involving a change in the speed of the chain. This change may be effected by a limit switch operable by the lift assembly to switch into circuit a second winding of the motor. This difference in chain speed provides several advantages. It allows a very gentle movement of the lift bracket 8 over the top of the sprocket 14 thereby preventing the lengths of film from swinging and possibly entering the wrong tank on their descent. It also allows adequate draining time for the wet films and, at the same time, the films are very quickly withdrawn or immersed in a tank with the attendant advantage of reducing the time that the lower end of a length of film is in any one processing solution.

After the lengths of films carried by the rod 2 have been processed in the first tank, the lift assembly, after a preset time interval, is again raised whereupon the lifting arms 9 collect another rod 2 loaded with films. Meanwhile the first rod-carrying lengths of film is deposited in the second pair of opposite notches in the bars 5, the films then being immersed in the same tank. This sequence continues until there is a rod loaded with film lengths in every pair of opposite notches 7 in the bars 5. Some tanks will contain more than one rod of films as each pair of opposite notches represents a certain time in a solution. For example, the first tank 18 containing developer will receive films carried by three rods, the films remaining in the developer, assuming a 4 minutes cycle of operation.

At the end of the wet processing cycles, the rod-carrying films is deposited onto a ramp 21 where it is collected by hooks 22 on laterally opposite endless chains 23. The chains lift the rod over a partition 24 in a light trap and deposit it on a pair of laterally opposite endless chains 25 inside a drying cabinet 26. These chains are moved forwardly about 2 inches every time the light trap chains 23 complete one circuit. The chains 25 within the cabinet are moved by a projection (not shown) on one of the hooks 22 which causes a free running sprocket 27 on a shaft 28 to rotate approximately half of one revolution every time that the light trap chains 23 complete one circuit. In effect, the chains 23 each has only one roller to drive that sprocket 27 driving the drying cabinet chains 25. This roller or projection is fitted to the opposite hooks 22 to cause a half turn of the sprocket 27.

The apparatus includes means whereby damage to the mechanism is prevented, as for instance when film rods or other obstructions are placed on top of the tanks. An operator of the apparatus is also protected from injury by the pivotal mounting of the lifting arms, which pivot upwardly when the arms contact an obstacle in their descent. Further, as another safety measure, the apparatus includes a switch which cuts off the power from the motor and which applies a magnetic brake. This switch is actuated should the bracket 8 be accidentally tilted upwards.

In the event of a failurepf electrical power, the lifting mechanism can be manually operated by a handle 29.

The films are dried in the drying cabinet by air-heated electrical elements and directed onto the films by turbine fans, the elements and fans not being shown. A filter 30 is fitted over the air intake in order to prevent dust particles from being included in the air stream.

The chemical solutions are recirculated by impeller pumps fitted in auxiliary tanks 31. The tanks are fixed to the rear of the tanks containing the solutions and are connected to the latter tanks by flexible hoses 32 and 33. The electrical motors driving the pumps are mounted above the level of the solutions in the tanks. Also in each auxiliary tank is a thermostatically controlled heating element which maintains the correct temperature of the solution in the tank.

The chemical solutions are replenished from separate header tanks 34 and the correct measure of replenishment is determined by the number of rods of films fed into the apparatus. When a rod isin position to be lifted and lowered into the first tank, a switch (not shown) is actuated whereby electromechanical means (not shown) is operated to dispense a correct measure of replenishment solution into the tank. The measure of replenishment is metered by a unit 35 fixed to the light trap panel or elsewhere.

The flow of water for washing the films is regulated by maintaining a constant head of water in a tank (now shown) fitted to the top of the main structure of the apparatus. Water of sufficient pressure and volume is fed to the tank through a cock and float (not shown). When the water reaches a predetermined level, the flow is cut off and the water is drained from the tank. The flat then falls and allows water to flow in at the same rate as it is used. The tank is connected to several wash tanks, by flexible hoses (not shown) to each of which is fitted an adjustable clamp whereby the supply of water to the tank, served by the hose, can be regulated.

After the films are dried, the rods carrying the films are moved down a ramp 36 to a stop 37, where the rods are collected and the lengths of film are removed.

We have therefore provided apparatus for processing photographic films wherein means are provided for moving the films sequentially through a series of processing baths in accordance with a timed cycle of operations, means being provided whereby at the beginning of the cycle of films are lowered into a first bath for a predetennined period of time and at the end of the period are raised up by the means out of the first bath, the means then transporting the films laterally and then lowering them into a second bath for a predetermined period and so on, the speed of operation of the means being controllable so that the films are raised and lowered relatively quickly as compared with the time taken for their lateral movement.

What I claim is:

1. Automatic apparatus for processing photograph films comprising a series of baths to contain chemical solutions and arranged in sequence closely adjacent to one another; a plurality of rods arranged above the baths from which rods the films to be processed may be removably suspended; rod handling means to lower the rods vertically towards the baths along spaced vertical planes aligned with said baths so that the films suspended from the rods are immersed in the solution, to hold the rods in their lowered positions in said vertical planes for a predetermined time, to raise the rods vertically away from the baths along the same vertical planes in which the respective rods were lowered so that the films suspended from the rods are raised out of the solutions, and to move the rods horizontally by a predetermined distance after the rods are raised away from the baths; said rod handling means including a carrier member, lift arms for said rods attached to said carrier member, an endless chain connected at one point to said carrier member to move said carrier member and said lift anns downwardly and upwardly to effect said lowering and raising of said rods, an upper sprocket and a lower sprocket for the chain, means for driving one of the sprockets, the said point of connection in passing after the completion of each upward movement around the upper sprocket causing the bracket and its anns to be displaced horizontally to an extent corresponding to the diameter of the upper sprocket so that when the carrier member and its arms descend the films carried by a rod are lowered along a vertical plane spaced from the vertical plane along which the same films were last raised, and means to hold said rods in said lowered positions disconnected from said lift arms when the said point of connection passes around the lower sprocket, whereby upon repeated raising and lowering of the rods of films, the films carried by the rods are transported from one bath to the next for processing, the lift arms being pivotally attached to the carrier member in such a manner as to be displaced angularly and upwardly when they meet an obstacle during their descent; and control means to ensure that the rods are raised and lowered relatively quickly as compared with their horizontal movement.

i l i i i 

1. Automatic apparatus for processing photograph films comprising a series of baths to contain chemical solutions and arranged in sequence closely adjacent to one another; a plurality of rods arranged above the baths from which rods the films to be processed may be removably suspended; rod handling means to lower the rods vertically towards the baths along spaced vertical planes aligned with said baths so that the films suspended from the rods are immersed in the solution, to hold the rods in their lowered positions in said vertical planes for a predetermined time, to raise the rods vertically away from the baths along the same vertical planes in which the respective rods were lowered so that the films suspended from the rods are raised out of the solutions, and to move the rods horizontally by a predetermined distance after the rods are raised away from the baths; said rod handling means including a carrier member, lift arms for said rods attached to said carrier member, an endless chain connected at one point to said carrier member to move said carrier member and said lift arms downwardly and upwardly to effect said lowering and raising of said rods, an upper sprocket and a lower sprocket for the chain, means for driving one of the sprockets, the said point of connection in passing after the completion of each upward movement around the upper sprocket causing the bracket and its arms to be displaced horizontally to an extent corresponding to the diameter of the upper sprocket so that when the carrier member and its arms descend the films carried by a rod are lowered along a vertical plane spaced from the vertical plane along which the same films were last raised, and means to hold said rods in said lowered positions disconnected from said lift arms when the said point of connection passes around the lower sprocket, whereby upon repeated raising and lowering of the rods of films, the films carried by the rods are transported from one bath to the next for processing, the lift arms being pivotally attached to the carrier member in such a manner as to be displaced angularly and upwardly when they meet an obstacle during their descent; and control means to ensure that the rods are raised and lowered relatively quickly as compared with their horizontal movement. 